Fresno State pulled off a stunning upset at the Save Mart Center, taking down Wyoming 63-60 in a nail-biting contest that will have real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. The Bulldogs, ranked 140th in the nation, entered the game as underdogs against the 97th-ranked Cowboys, but they refused to back down, riding a strong second-half performance to secure the win.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Wyoming taking a slim 27-26 lead into the break. Leland Walker was unstoppable for the Cowboys, scoring 10 of his 17 points in the opening period. However, Fresno State's DeShawn Gory and David Douglas Jr. kept their team in the game, combining for 16 points in the first half. Gory would go on to finish with 13 points and 6 rebounds, leading the Bulldogs in both categories.
The second half saw Fresno State take control, with the Bulldogs outscoring Wyoming 37-33. Jake Heidbreder chipped in with 10 points for the Bulldogs, including a few crucial baskets late. Meanwhile, Walker continued to shine for the Cowboys, adding 7 points and 5 assists to his tally. Nasir Meyer also made a significant contribution for Wyoming, scoring 13 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.
Despite being the lower-ranked team, Fresno State's win was no fluke. The Bulldogs outplayed the Cowboys for much of the game, using their home-court advantage to fuel their upset bid. The crowd at the Save Mart Center was electric, cheering on their team as they pulled off the stunning victory.
This win is a massive boost to Fresno State's tournament resume, as it counts as a Quad 3 victory. For Wyoming, the loss is a setback, also classified as a Quad 3 game. The Cowboys must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a deep run in the postseason. As for the Bulldogs, they'll look to build on this momentum, using the confidence gained from this upset to propel themselves through the rest of their schedule.
The significance of this upset cannot be overstated. Fresno State has proven that they can hang with tougher opponents, and this win will undoubtedly give them a much-needed shot of confidence. As the season wears on, the Bulldogs want to parlay this victory into a strong finish, one that could potentially put them in the conversation for a tournament bid. For now, they'll bask in the glory of their thrilling upset over Wyoming, a win that will be remembered for a long time to come.